Wethersfield grad directing, performing in ‘The Wiz’ in Peoria

Bryan Blanks of the 21st Century Community Learning Center involved in Peoria production

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Star Courier - Kewanee, IL

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Posted Jul. 31, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Posted Jul. 31, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Kewanee

Wethersfield High School graduate Bryan Blanks is the director of a Peoria production of the musical “The Wiz,” an upbeat Motown-style version of “The Wizard of Oz.”

The musical will be performed Aug. 2-10 at the Corn Stock Theater in Peoria.

Blanks, also a graduate of Monmouth College, works for the 21st Century Community Learning Center for the Bureau, Henry, Stark Regional Office of Education. During the day he works at Stark County High School, and in the evening he is director and performer for the Peoria theater.

Blanks said the production of “The Wiz” “has received a lot of media attention in the Peoria area, partially because it is the first time an adult cast of “The Wiz” has been produced in the Peoria area with a primarily African American cast.”

Originally “The Wiz” had an all-black cast and Blanks said, “‘The Wiz’ has special meaning for me as a performer. I remember my mom bringing home a copy of the movie adaptation when I was a young kid growing up in Kewanee. I could not take my eyes off the film. I remember trying to mimic to vocals and dance moves of Michael Jackson.”

Since the birth of the Broadway production and after the film hit the screen, “The Wiz” has become a cult classic and a pop culture standard among the African American community and the music transcended into the pop music world.

More than 80 people auditioned for the show, and 35 were chosen to be a part of this production. This is the first time Corn Stock has produced “The Wiz.”

Blanks has directed numerous productions in the Peoria area and is the theatre program director at St. Vincent dePaul School.

This production will also be the first time he will have been on stage in a production he directs. He plays the role of the Tin Man, a role made famous in the film by Nipsey Russell.

Blanks said he was encouraged to get involved with the Peoria theatre by his mother, Rita Saltsman, and Wethersfield High School play director Cathy Dana. He has brought his theater experience back to Stark County with an improvisation program that was developed by the 21st Century Community Learning Center, through the BHSROE.

A partnership has been developed between the 21st CCLC program at Stark County and Peoria area community theatre. Students at Stark County have been able to visit local productions at no cost.

The students are able to take a tour backstage and meet the actors to discuss performance and production techniques.

Tickets for the show at the Corn Stock Theatre, 1700 N. Park Road, can be ordered by calling 309-676-2196 or online at www.cornstocktheatre.com